Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page C9

SUNDAY, WWW.FREEP.COM 9C MICHIGAN FOOTBALL SPORTS Michigan spent a lot of time at its last spring practice Saturday. But the most interesting news came off the field, where coach Brady Hoke said he expects linebacker Jake Ryan back by midseason from his anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered last month. not a doctor, but possibly the middle of Hoke said. people react Ryan, who led Michigan last season with 88 tackles, including 16 for loss and 4 1 2 sacks, would be a crucial addition if he can return during the season. While estimates have ranged up to a year for healing, Ryan was standing on the sideline Saturday without of crutches.

Though he used them to move longer distances, that reflected the good progress Hoke spoke about last week. Ryan slowed down a bit or showed negativity, linebacker Desmond Morgan said. that seen Morgan said. sure after it happened he was pretty upset, just as I would be or anyone would be, but I think anyone has seen it or he has showed Morgan said he has never had such a severe injury, but understands. know exactly how long the process takes obviously heard rough estimates of people getting Morgan said.

the way going and they do those surgeries and some of the rehab doing, phenomenal how fast they can get them OTHER INJURY NEWS: Tight end Devin Funchess left the scrimmage and staggered to the sideline, standing behind the bench and eventually sitting next to trainer Paul Schmidt While the radio broadcast speculated on his shoulder, all Hoke would say was be all Quarterback Russell Bellomy (ACL) was on the sideline with his crutches. Among others apparently injured, one of the Wolverines said receiver Jeremy Gallon has been slowed by something this spring, the radio broadcast talked about Taylor Lewan foot problem, and offensive lineman Kyle Bosch and defensive end Frank Clark had casts on their right arms. Clark said his blue cast was just protecting little boo-boo, just a and he would be fine, elaborating on the design. Devin Gardner drew a watch on Clark said. 12:30, always 12:30.

He drew a nice little signature there too. something minor. It will be off in a Clark and the rest of the defensive linemen allowed to hit the quarterbacks in the orange jerseys Saturday. But Clark joked that if he gets that show him he said, grinning. ODDS AND ENDS: Though corner- back Blake Countess (ACL) and tailback Fitz Toussaint (broken leg) did not go through contact this spring or Saturday, only participating in drills, Hoke said: think any be ready by fall.

Newcomer Taco Charlton got a lick in on one of the backup quarterbacks despite the orange jersey. Hoke just grinned when asked about it, saying, Punter Will Hagerup status changed he remains suspended. Hoke wore his 1997 national championship ring but offered no reason why, pausing before joking that it went with his shoes. He wore shorts despite the frigid temperatures. A robot delivered the game ball on the field.

UM raised nearly $90,000 for Mott Hospital through donations at the spring game. Notebook Hoke says LB Ryan might return by midseason By Mark Snyder Detroit Free Press Sports Writer MORE SPRING GAMES CENTRAL MICHIGAN Redshirt freshman Cooper Rush threw for 115 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, leading the Maroon squad to a 16-13 victory over the Gold. Sophomore QB Alex Niznak had two TDs for the Gold. WAYNE STATE It was all defense in the Green and Gold matchup: The game ended 0-0 after one possession in overtime. Jawun Gamble had a sack and one tackle for loss for the Green.

Andrew Matt had two sacks for the Gold. WESTERN MICHIGAN: Brown vs. Gold game is 1p.m. Saturday at Waldo Stadium. NOTRE DAME: The Blue-Gold game is at 1 p.m.

Saturday. EASTERN MICHIGAN Game is today at 2 p.m. at Rynearson Stadium. The fifth annual Michigan alumni flag football game Saturday was a success. When a bunch of former players survive 45 minutes in sub-40-degree temperatures running around without major injury, that qualifies.

The game was interesting as well, with the Blue team, led by quarterback B.J. Dickey, rallying for a 36-29 victory. Dickey was named MVP and received the monstrous, nearly 11- foot-tall trophy for his touchdown passes in the win. many of us do said Dickey, who played quarterback at U-M in 1977-81, playing the most in the 1979 season when he threw for 586 yards and five touchdowns. lot of us coach high school football or coach soccer, so guys are pretty active.

But we do this kind of stuff, and it gets a little competitive near the end. You worry about guys pulling ham- strings, especially when this With U-M trainer Paul Schmidt looking on, Dickey hit Mike Krauss with the go-ahead touchdown passand two-point conversion with 3:48 remaining. The Yellow team answer with a late opportunity. looking for anybody open and GilvanniJohnson said throw it to him, throw it to him, and they were Dickey said. were trying to burn some clock so they get the ball back, but we do that.

probably threw the ball more today than I did in my entire career. I used to run the On the other side, the Yellow team was led by former quarterback John Wangler. best part of it is talking to all the guys on the he said. look on all their face, how much pride they have being back in Michigan Stadium with their When they were playing at U-M ov- er the past five decades, they went through intense practices day after day so they could play on Saturdays. They tried to recapture that even if for a few moments.

never leaves Wangler said. mind thinks you can do it, your body tells you you I think any of the guys ever lose that feeling of wanting to The Friday night conversations were the most valuable part of the weekend for the former players, as they some Wangler said about recalling their glory days. All the players again explained the unique bond they have as former U-M players. all ate the same dirt and got yelled at the same Wangler said. all been through the experience of playing here at Michigan Stadium for all the great coaches.

a special place, no place like it. To be a part of that and have that experience, all U-M alumni game Dickey, Wangler Co. relive glory days By Mark Snyder Detroit Free Press Sports Writer 2013 MICHIGAN SCHEDULE AUG. 31 CENTRAL MICHIGAN SEPT. 7 NOTRE DAME NOV.

30 OHIO STATE NOV. 23 AT IOWA NOV. 16 AT NOV. 9 NEBRASKA NOV. 2 AT MSU OCT.

19 INDIANA OCT. 12 AT PENN STATE OCT. 5 MINNESOTA SEPT. 21 AT UCONN SEPT. 14 AKRON DE Frank Clark sports a cast with a drawing by Devin Gardner.

MARK FREE PRESS From first play, one could see the difference. Michigan wants to use a pro-style offense, so the ball was in the air during the spring scrimmage at Michigan Stadium. The first play naturally went from a potential pro quarterback to a pro-style tall, athletic receiver. Quarterback Devin Gardner is a lot closer to the NFL than sophomore receiver Amara Darbohis, but their 32-yard connection on the opening play was a signal. knew what we were going to do, and I knew Darboh was going to catch the said Gardner, whose unofficial line was 11-for-16 passing for 145 yards and one passing touchdown to freshman Jake Butt in a red-zone drill.

knew what was going to happen, and we called that play (Friday). Coach (Al) Borges said just get it up and give him a chance. what I did, and he Gardner looked comfortable on passes of various distances, was able to move a bit when flushed from the pocket and showed the control that should reassure fans. The defensive line was impressive with its pressure, but Gardner handled it well. Considering he have a healthy backup on scholarship Russell Bellomysuffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament this spring and Shane Morris arrives as a freshman in the fall Gardner is crucial to Big Ten title chances.

we give him time to make those plays, going to make them, so I have faith in offen- sive tackle Taylor Lewan said. really tough to see when a talent like Denard (Robinson) goes, but it feels good when you get this kind of talent here one guy goes and another guy can step biggest takeaway from spring is pocket presence and an ability to soak in the surroundings. one of the great things he does as a quarterback, he sees Lewan said. Though Gardner played the final five games last season after Robinson was hurt and some of the pro- style elements were incorporated immediately, Saturday was his first outdoor practice in the scheme since last fall even if it was a vanilla version and the elements bother him. There also was enough confidence in him, complete with the orange jersey warning that the quarterbacks should not be hit, that the coaches kept subbing him in and out per series, unlike the overly protective approach taken with Robinson in last spring scrimmage.

sure it that I needed the snaps, but we have a lot of depth at Gardner said. want (backup Brian) Cleary throwing 150 balls when very serviceable. I have no problem with it, getting The backup situation remains clear as mud. Walk-ons Cleary and Alex Swieca played, and coach Brady Hoke said they handled themselves well in front of the estimated 18,000 fans. But he pointed out that one fumbled a snap, and he confirmed his earlier statement that U-M still could pursue a junior-college or fifth-year transfer quarterback to play this fall.

To take someone better be pretty Hoke said. If all goes well for the Wolverines, the backups will be irrelevant, because Gardner will be performing and healthy as he showed for a bit Saturday, at the end of his first spring with responsibility. feel like I improved as a leader, I feel like I improved every aspect of my he said. got faster, stronger. throwing more accurate balls and making great The reinforcement comes off the field as well, where practice visitors have told him team seems like they all love refreshing for me to hear because if someone can see it from the outside, he said.

Gardner shows at home with pro-style, take-to-the-air offense PHOTOS BY ERIC FREE PRESS Michigan QB Devin Gardner prepares to throw in spring game. Gardner completed 11passes, one for a touchdown, and showed poise under pressure. By Mark Snyder Detroit Free Press Sports Writer Tight end Devin Funchesstries to break a tackle from safety Thomas Gordon. More than 60 plays were run..